Self-pumping water boiler system

Abstract

A package heat exchange system using an expanded surface gas-fired burner to supply heat via a heat exchange coil in a dome above the extended surface heat exchanger which heats domestic hot water and supplies heat via the dome to a radiator for heating a living area of a home. A control system provides for utilizing steam from the extended surface heat exchanger to heat the coil in the dome and maintains a first pressure for supplying the domestic hot water and a higher pressure when radiator heat is called for. The heat for domestic hot water may be further heat transferred in a fourth heat exchanger which adjusts the temperature of the domestic hot water. The heat supplied to the radiator may be self-pumping by utilizing steam and the heat to the radiator may be cut off by supplying a control to the return pipe of the radiator which allows the radiator to fill with condensate from the steam.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a residential air heating and cooling system comprising: first and second regions of said system substantially isolated from each other;   first heat exchange means positioned in said first region comprising a heat exchanger having a surface for contacting a fluid and a surface for contacting the products of combustion which has a substantially greater area than said surface for contacting said fluid;   said first heat exchange means comprising a plurality of tubular members providing a conduit for fluid to be heated and having conductive bodies bonded thereto for providing the major portion of said surface contacting said products of combustion;   means for supplying said fluid from the upper ends of said tubular membrers to a reservoir above said heat exchanger and for supplying fluid as a liquid from said reservoir substantially directly to the lower ends of said tubular members;   second and third heat exchange means positioned in said second region;   a fluid circulation system comprising at least a conduit means for said fluid extending between said first and second regions;   means for supplying thermal energy from the products of combustion to said fluid through said first heat exchange means;   means for transferring thermal energy as a vapor of said fluid from said first reservoir to said second heat exchange means and back as a condensate to the lower ends of said tubular members through said fluid circulation system;   means in said second region for circulating air through said second heat exchange means; and   means for pumping thermal energy from said third heat exchange means to a fourth heat exchange means.   
     
     
       2. The heat transfer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the surface area of said heat exchanger in contact with said products of combustion comprises a plurality   
     
     
       3. The heat transfer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said heat exchanger comprises a plurality of finned tubular elements rigidly interconnected by a plurality of solid header members and defining a central plenum.   
     
     
       4. The heat transfer system in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said means for providing the products of combustion comprises a burner positioned within said central plenum and supplied with a fuel-air mixture by a blower.   
     
     
       5. In a residential air heating and cooling and water heat system comprising: first heat exchange means in a first location, second heat exchange means in a second location, third heat exchange means adjacent said second heat exchange means, fourth heat exchange means above said first heat exchange means, and fifth heat exchange means adjacent said first heat exchange means;   means connected between said third heat exchange means and said fifth heat exchange means for pumping thermal energy from said third heat exchange means to said fifth heat exchange means;   said first heat exchange means comprising a plurality of finned substantially vertical tubular elements rigidly interconnected by upper and lower headers and defining a central plenum;   means for supplying a fluid as a liquid to the lower ends of said tubular elements and for supplying said fluid at least partly as a vapor to a reservoir above said first heat exchange means through portions of said tubular elements extending into said reservoir;   means comprising a burner positioned in said plenum for supplying thermal energy from the products of combustion to said first heat exchange means;   conduit means connected between said first heat exchange means and said second heat exchange means for circulating a fluid heated by said products of combustion in said first heat exchange means through said second heat exchange means;   means for blowing air through said second and third heat exchange means to heat said air when thermal energy is being supplied from said first heat exchange means to said second heat exchange means and to cool said air when thermal energy is being pumped from said third heat exchange means to said fifth heat exchange means; and   means for supplying thermal energy from said first heat exchange means in said reservoir to said fourth heat exchange means to heat water flowing therethrough.   
     
     
       6. The system in accordance with claim 5 wherein: a fan is positioned to circulate air through said fifth heat exchange means when thermal energy is being pumped from said third heat exchange means to said fifth heat exchange means by said thermal energy pumping means.   
     
     
       7. The system in accordance with claim 5 wherein: said thermal pumping means comprises a compressor positioned adjacent said first heat exchange means.